40/1 winner just Perfect for owner/trainer Hurley

Trevor Ryan was on the third placed Wild Sam in the previous heat, but he went a couple of places better in the following 6.05 event at Limerick, the Patrickswell Handicap Hurdle.

His 7Ib claim on top-weight Perfect Man was certainly a help, and in the three miler the Morozov gelding came home best to inflict a two and a half length and half length defeat on Nerual and Betterthanalright

A morning price market mover, Perfect Man eventually went off at odds of 16/1 and owner/trainer Pat Hurley acknowledged: "I backed him this morning at 40/1. He won in Thurles and Punchestown last year but he was very sick after that with stomach problems and all the credit goes to Gerry Kelly in the veterinary hospital in Fethard who put him right.

"He's a good tough little horse and the run at Thurles the last day put him right. He's back on track now."

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Ballinabearna (GB), trained by Robert Tyner, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be suffering post race distress.

A.E. Lynch, rider of Cowboy Des Long (FR) trained by James Joseph Mangan, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount stopped quickly.

The Stewards interviewed T. Ryan, rider of Perfect Man, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race.

Evidence was heard from the rider concerned.

Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence including that of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer, the Stewards were of the opinion that T. Ryan was in breach of R10(3)(f) by using his whip with excessive force and frequency and R10(3)(g) by using his whip with his arm above shoulder height.

Having taken his previous record into consideration, the Stewards suspended T. Ryan for 3 racedays.

The Stewards requested a report from P.M.Hurley, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Perfect Man, placed first, as compared with its recent form.

P.M. Hurley reported that his charge ran very disappointing at Tramore and was treated for an abdominal problem for some time afterwards.

The gelding reappeared at Thurles after a six month layoff and disappointed again.

The horse then came under veterinary care and underwent further treatment for an abdominal problem.

Furthermore he was turned out for lengthy periods daily after exercise.

He added that in the last three weeks that the gelding's coat changed and his work improved.

Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the content of the report.

(AM & EM)